Meet the Author

The FermentedlyChallenged blog has been retired since the end of October 2016. It has been a great 9 year run. Thanks to all the readers and brewery staff for all your support in the past. I'm living in the Denver metro area and working in the Cable TV industry now. Cheers and enjoy beer responsibly. Follow along on social media - @ChipperDave on Twitter and on Facebook.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Today is Facebook's 10th Birthday. Hard to believe that a decade ago Facebook was started up on a college campus by Mark Zuckerberg. Whether love or hate Facebook, it's hard to not know about the impact that Facebook has made on the internet. Whether or not Facebook will still be around in another 10 years from now is anyone's guess, but the one thing is can count on is that Facebook will constantly change itself, much to the frustration of their users. So cheers to Facebook anyway. How much time will you spend on it today? Here's what's happening around the Colorado beerosphere today Tuesday, February 4th, 2014. If you aren't reading this article on FermentedlyChallenged.com, you don't know what you're missing.

Epic Brewing (Denver) - After the successful launch last year of their brewery and with the brewing of several popular beers, Epic Brewing has announced that they will being canning some of their beers. One of the first beers to be canned in Colorado will be their "Escape to Colorado IPA". No word on when that will be available yet.

Copper Kettle Brewing (Denver) - February is "Decadent Chocolate" Cask Month and their first cask of the month will be a "Cherry Chocolate Milk Stout". This firkin will be tapped on Wednesday, February 5th. Each Wednesday a new firkin will be tapped. Chocolate lovers are going to love this month. See the Beer Release listings for upcoming tappings. Also, looking for a taproom job? Copper Kettle is looking for a part time bartender/server to join their team to help keep up with expansion. Speaking of which they will start patio construction next week.World of Beer (Belmar/Lakewood) - Coming up this Saturday, February 8th at the World of Beer (Belmar area) is an event called "Kegs, Cans and Helping Hands". It's going to be a day of Colorado craft beer, live music and great raffle items. All proceeds from sales and raffle tix will go to benefit the Left Hand and Can'd Aid organizations for Colorado Flood Relief. The event runs all day - open to close. The beer and prizes for this event were donated by Colorado breweries including: New Belgium, Left Hand, Avery, Epic, Boulder Beer, Tommyknocker, Twisted Pine, Odell Brewing and Oskar Blues. Come have fun and help out a good cause. Located at 7260 W. Alaska Drive in Lakewood.

River North Brewery (Denver) - River North Brewery is throwing itself a birthday party on February 14th through the 16th. Celebrating its second anniversary, the brewery will host a weekend-long party with special releases, food trucks and vintage bottles. The star of the event: Anniversary Ale #2, a Belgian-style Golden Strong Ale dry-hopped with Nelson Sauvin! “Last year’s anniversary beer was an intense imperial stout. This year we took a drastic departure by brewing a brilliant golden ale,” Head Brewer Matt Hess said. “Our Anniversary Ale is an opportunity to craft anything we want from the broad spectrum of beer styles, and it will change each year.” Anniversary Ale #2 will be available on tap and in bottles at the River North taproom from Friday, February 14th through Sunday, February 16th. Bombers will cost $9 each with a 6-bottle limit. The taproom will open early Friday at 1pm. In addition to Anniversary Ale #2, rare beers will be tapped throughout the weekend. On Sunday the 16th, River North will also host its first “Cellar Sale.” Limited quantities of rare bottles from throughout the brewery’s history will be available, representing a collection two years in the making.

Kokopelli Beer Co (Westminster) - Announcing their upcoming Sweetheart Dinners on Friday & Saturday February 14th & 15th. Your evening includes a large heart shaped pizza, 2 drinks and a dessert to share. Plus your Valentine will also receive a chocolate rose and a special teddy bear. This dinner is by reservation only, call ahead at least 24 hours in advance - (303) 284-0135. Cost is $40 per couple.

Epic Brewing (Denver) - Want to send a Valentine's Card to your sweetheart with a coupon for a free pint? They are making them tonight and tomorrow, ready for purchase in the taproom on Wednesday, from 5:00pm - 9:00pm.

Our Mutual Friend Malt & Brew (Denver) - It's a snowy Keep the Glass Tuesday! They're on week two of Artist Glass #4 by Jackie Barry and they're going quick. Get one while you can.

Odyssey Beerwerks (Arvada) - It's Growler Fill Tuesday. And on a day like today it looks to be a perfect time for a Clan Warrior Scotch Ale or maybe the Stout. Whatever you choose - buy a growler fill and get a free beer while you're there.

Parry's Pizza (Highlands Ranch) - RENEGADE BREWING PINT NIGHT is this Thursday, February 6th starting at 5pm. Renegade Brewing will be at their Highlands Ranch location passing out free pint glasses to those that purchase one of their beers. So, get down here and get some glass! ‪#‎AleYeah‬

Westminster Brewing Co (Westminster) - The Bluegrass Jam Session social begins at 6:30 pm for all interested pickers and fans. No food truck tonight, but they have menus from restaurants that will deliver. Bringing in takeout is also good, although if it smells too good you might cause a few jealous looks.

Station 26 Brewing Co (Denver) - Here's today's tap list pic of the day from Station 26. Enjoy and stop in for a visit. On tap today: Kolsch, Belgian-American Pale, IPA #1, Double Down IPA (Citra/Galaxy), Brown, and Session Stout.

Boulder County

Fate Brewing Co (Boulder) - Today is FATE's 1st Anniversary party and to celebrate they're releasing a limited number of 750ml bottles of their anniversary brew: "Veroandi New World Burton Anniversary Ale" - 11.5% ABV, 100+ IBU with hops from Australia and New Zealand. They’re really proud of how it turned out and can’t wait to share it with you.

Upslope Brewing Co (Boulder) - [PRESS RELEASE] Upslope Brewing Company continues their western distribution expansion to Wyoming, partnering with Teton Distributors. Upslope's premium ales and lagers will be available at select retailers, restaurants and craft beer bars throughout the state next week. Upslope Brewing Company delivers supremely palatable, premium, filtered ales and lagers that are hand-crafted using all-natural ingredients. Their flagship beers include: Pale Ale, India Pale Ale, Brown Ale, Craft Lager and Imperial India Pale Ale. Upslope proudly packages its beer in aluminum cans because it’s good for you, the beer and the environment. Plus, they're exceptionally portable for on-the-go beer enthusiasts. “Upslope is already being treated like a local,” said Upslope Director of Sales and Marketing, Henry Wood. “Wyoming is all about the great outdoors and the spirit of adventure and exploration—cornerstones of our brand. We are overwhelmed at the incredible hospitality and enthusiasm for our arrival. We look forward to expanding our distribution to this great state.” Wyoming will be the third out-of-state market in which Upslope is sold, bringing their distribution footprint to four states – Colorado, Texas, Arizona and Wyoming.

Left Hand Brewing (Longmont) - [PRESS RELEASE] Left Hand Brewing Company is excited to announce expanded distribution into Maryland and Washington D.C. This March, Left Hand Brewing will officially enter the MD/DC market in partnership with Legends Limited Distributing. The two new territories will increase the Left Hand footprint to 27 states. After finishing a tremendous 20th year, taking home 3 Gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival and releasing 2 new Nitro series beers, Left Hand is setting its sights on the future. Coming off a 32% barrelage increase in 2013 with production of 65K bbls, the Longmont brewery is set to enter new markets as a part of their 15 year expansion plan. Left Hand will initiate their growth strategy with Maryland and D.C., strengthening their coverage on the East Coast. “We have had our eye on the Old Line State for many years and with continual production expansion efforts, we will be able to bring Left Hand’s portfolio of award winning balanced beers to our nation’s capital.” comments Jason Ingram, East Coast Regional Sales Manager. Legends Limited will distribute Left Hand’s perennial line and Nitro series featuring: Milk Stout & Milk Stout Nitro, Sawtooth Ale & Sawtooth Nitro, as well as 400 Pound Monkey IPA, Black Jack Porter, Polestar Pilsner, Stranger Pale Ale, and Left Hand’s variety pack, Mountain Mixer. Left Hand will host a series of launch events the first week of March.

Odd13 Brewing (Lafayette) - It's Trivia Tuesday at Odd13 tonight. The winning team will be rewarded with 6 free pints and the fun starts at 7pm. Bumper Crop is the food truck this evening. They are also catering their beer dinner in April so come check them out!

Echo Brewing Co (Frederick) - The brewery will be tapping their "Tri-Town Brown" ale tonight, a long-awaited tapping. Try one tonight and come in out of the snow.

300 Suns Brewing (Longmont) - It's now official! This upcoming brewery has set themselves a Grand Opening date of Saturday, February 22, 2014! Keep your fingers crossed. If all goes well the next couple of week, they will open their doors for business that weekend. The brewery is located at 335 1st Avenue, Unit C in Longmont, CO.

Kettle & Stone Brewing Co (Boulder) - Dust off your old LPs and bring them into the brewery for Spin Your Vinyl Tuesdays from 5pm to 9pm. Each Tuesday, they'll play the music you bring in (a whole side) at the taproom. Enjoy a night of eclectic music and great beer.

Bootstrap Brewing Co (Niwot) - What's happening at the Boot this week? Trivia tonight at 6:30pm along with Taco Tuesday by Niwot Market. On Wednesday, come in for Game Night & Euchre Tournament at 6pm. Then on Friday, it's Steve's birthday (party!) along with food. Saturday it's the Soho Band live at 5pm plus food. Then on Sunday, join in with the Running CLub at 2pm.

Twisted Pine Brewing Co (Boulder) - Ski, ride, or sled on over to Twisted Pine for the open mic night tonight hosted by Jim Herlihy! Sign up starts at 5:30pm, music starts at 6:00pm and runs til 8:00pm. Plus, get all day happy hour beer specials too. Stay Twisted!

High Hops Brewery (Windsor) - Tomorrow, Wednesday February 5th's firkin will be an easy-drinking brown ale called Nobilla Brown. It was made with the 2nd runnings off of their Belgian Quad grain bed with some additional specialty grains added to give this brew a slight nutty, roastiness with just a touch of vanilla. Also on site that night will be food from Big City Burrito. Then get ready for their 2nd Annual Firkin Fest on Friday, February 14th (Valentine's Day) all day long. They will have 16 firkins on tap for one day only. It's going to be a memorable event! Check the Beer Fest Calendar for more info.

Grimm Brothers Brewhouse (Loveland) - If you missed getting some of their Bleeding Heart Valentine's beer then take note! They are down to their last keg of it today in the tap room. Stay warm and dry and get there if you can. This stuff is going quick!

The Mayor of Old Town (Ft. Collins) - How's this for an event teaser. Coming up this April, The Mayor will be working with Funkwerks to host the largest Funkwerks tap take-over in the history of that brewery. It will be a record setting event for both Funkwerks and the Mayor. Stay tuned for details about this upcoming massive tap take-over event. Funkwerks has been saving up some awesome beers too.

Southern Front Range

Bristol Brewing Co (Colorado Springs) - The annual Firkin Rendezvous is quickly approaching (Feb. 22nd), and in preparation of that event, Bristol will be tapping a firkin of a barrel-aged Winter Warlock Oatmeal Stout that was prepped with whiskey-soaked oak chips over at Jack Quinn's Irish Pub & Restaurant in Colorado Springs this Thursday, February 6th at 6:30pm. This will be the 1st Annual Pre-Firkin Rendezvous tapping event. This beer will be a treat you won't want to miss. Head to Jack Quinn's at 21 S. Tejon Street.

Mountains and West

Beer Tasting Train (Alamosa) - Looking for a diversion from winter blues? Try the Beer Tasting Train on the Rio Grande Railroad in Alamosa on Saturday, March 8th at 11am. They've brought all the good stuff inside their cars: craft beers from the region, selected lunch menu and a live musical performer. Three regional brewers will be on board and have their product set up in the club cars. Enjoy a sampling of their finest crafted beer! Or take a seat in our Mardi Gras club car and enjoy live music on the return trip. Meals are made on board and available in our historic dining room. Three regional brewers will be on board to visit each car, give samples and talk about their craft beers. Alcohol samples for adults 21 and over. If passengers wish to continue drinking after the tasting, beer will be sold on board. For more information check out www.coloradotrain.com/beer-tasting-train.html
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